Zakk Wylde has been looking back at the 1995 stretch when he played with Guns N’ Roses, explaining that the rehearsals never turned into an offer and that the uncertainty cost him his place on the «Ozzmosis» tour.
“`At the time he was working with Ozzy Osbourne on «Ozzmosis», recorded through 1994 and 1995 in Paris, New York and Woodstock and released in October 1995. Guns N’ Roses were looking for a guitarist after Gilby Clarke left in October 1994.
Speaking on the «Go With Elmo Lovano» podcast, he described how Axl Rose called him: he knew Slash, Duff McKagan and Steven Adler, but not Axl or Izzy Stradlin. He went over, they played, they recorded ideas in Duff’s mobile studio.
The rehearsals had Matt Sorum, Slash, Duff, Axl and Dizzy Reed in the room: «We had a good time, but nothing ever took shape». While he waited, Ozzy moved on with another guitarist for the tour — something Wylde now recalls without bitterness.
The story shows how fluid bands were that year. Wylde carried on with Black Label Society, the band he still leads — the live video for «Ozzy’s Song» is one recent reminder of it.
He also explained the difference with today: «Now the schedules line up — Pantera celebration, Black Label Society, Zakk Sabbath, Generation Axe with Steve Vai, Nuno and Yngwie». Back then he had to choose, and Ozzy could not wait: «Zakk, I can’t sit around waiting».
